THERE will be a superstore on the Abergavenny Cattle Market site, council chiefs decided following a special meeting of the cabinet.

The meeting, held on Wednesday at County Hall, was called following the collapse of the deal with Asda and developers Henry Boot Ltd.

The public gallery was at capacity with members of campaign group Keep Abergavenny Livestock Market (KALM).

Cabinet member decided to vote to keep the site with the aim of it being used as a superstore area.

Cabinet members decided that an area of land on the site would be kept for the council to build a new library on.  The land that will be retained will be decided on in consultation with the new buyer.

The Cabinet recommendation will go to full council for consideration today. (Thursday)

At the meeting, cabinet member for regeneration, Bob Greenland, said,

"We understand that Asda withdrew from the scheme because the way Asda operates has changed in recent years and the constrictions that we placed on them were increasingly burdensome.

"We consulted with residents many times and tried to make sure the interests of traders and the Chamber of Commerce were considered.

"This meant we restricted non-food sales to be no more than 12.5 percent. It was also planned to be the smallest Asda in Wales.

"The deal with Henry Boot could have progressed but they wanted six months to get a new operator on board and were no longer able to guarantee a capital receipt. There was no fat in the scheme to absorb a potential lower receipt from a new food operator.

"Henry Boot's insistence on unacceptable changes to the contract meant we had to collapse the deal.

"Foodstore operators have been in touch through property consultants and there's been great interest in this site.

"I have no hesitation in recommending the best option for Abergavenny, which is to sell the site for foodstore operation but we will ensure that the deal includes the opportunity for a new library.

"As with any other landowner and application the planning authority will control what is acceptable and what is not acceptable on the site.

"Abergavenny needs a foodstore in the town in order to keep people shopping there. Without it, out of town shopping will damage the vibrancy of the town."

Mayor of Abergavenny, councillor Douglas Edwards asked Cabinet Members what the total cost of the development has been over the last seven years. He was told by leader, councillor Peter Fox that they would find out today at full council.

KALM believe they have outlined an alternative option to the development.

Member Barry Greenwood said, "KALM have all but fulfilled the objective of our campaign, having made a strong written and verbal case to the National Assembly of Wales Petitions Committee. The ball is currently in the NAW's court.

"This does not mean we will sit back nor cease applying pressure when appropriate. However, KALM have been challenged by MCC and the

NFU on a number of occasions to outline an alternative to building a new regional market on a greenfield site. Their argument that the present site is obsolete is ridiculous. Five acres of land cannot be obsolete: it is the buildings and fittings on the land which are obsolete and these can be replaced by modern alternatives which capture the

opportunities outlined above. The run-down state of the market is due to AMAL's understandable uncertainty over the future and MCC's failure as

landlord to ensure maintenance. KALM would like to see the initiative for regenerating Abergavenny livestock market taken up by AMAL together with local business people, farmers and anyone who has a stake in the town. This vision is shared by a great many people in the

community and is the only truly sensible and sustainable way forward. We know it is do-able because people in Skipton have done it, and on a much less ideal site."

KALM plan to hold an initial meeting for interested people at The Angel Hotel in September. Anyone interested should contact Jenny Long on 01981 240711 or [email protected]">[email protected], or Barry Greenwood on 01873 852245 or [email protected]">[email protected].